Millwall were without ‘gaffer’, Gary Rowett, for this one as him and the backroom staff at the club continued to self-isolate after a number tested positive for Covid-19, though that didn’t stop U23’s coach, Kevin Nugent, rallying up the troops for a rampant display at Deepdale.
The Lions were great value as they recorded their fourth win of the season. Dominating throughout the majority of the game, they shunned any chance of an upset from Preston, who still go looking for their first point at home in the league this season, and without a single goal to show for themselves.
Millwall now see themselves sitting fourth in the Sky Bet Championship, with Preston dropping down to 13th.
Slow Start
The first half offered little from both sides initially, before Millwall grew into it.
Half chances from Romeo and Jed Wallace showed something was brewing before the best chance of the half came from Millwall’s, Bennett.
A powerful strike from outside the area, tipped over by Preston stopper, Ruud, as half time called.
New Boy Delivers For The Lions
The second half started with a bang though, as West Brom loanee, Kenneth Zohore, scored his first goal for The Lions.
An emphatic counterattack from Millwall saw Jed Wallace open up space on the right-hand side, before squaring to Zahore, who finished with a smart tap in.
Resolute defending followed from Millwall, as Preston found it difficult to create chances in the second half. Their first shot on target coming in the 68th minute, with Barkhuizen’s effort tidily saved at close range by Bartosz Bialkowski.
Reliable Wallace From The Spot
Jed Wallace then contributed with his second goal involvement of the day, slotting home from the penalty spot on 84 minutes, after Murray Wallace was clumsily brought down by Preston’s, Barkhuizen.
Overall, a thoroughly deserved win for the South-East Londoner’s in the end.
The skipper spoke with BBC after the match, revealing him and the team were “really happy and pleased with the result on the road”.
Pearce went on to say: “As for me, I’m proud of the lads tonight. It’s been a really difficult 48 hours or so for them, and it can be a bit unsettling for some players, but they’ve just got on with their jobs and they’ve come through this game with flying colours.
“The gaffer was right there behind them; he set everything up beforehand over Zoom call, and he’s been in touch throughout the game, directing on tactics, asking opinions on substitutions and pretty much everything else.
“The gaffer has been behind it all, but it’s also been a terrific team effort overall.”
Next up for Millwall it’s a trip to Carrow Road to face newly relegated Norwich City, in what looks to be an interesting game, with both teams in good form.
The Teams:
Preston First 11: Rudd, Rafferty, Bauer (Huntington 45’), Storey, Hughes, Browne, Ledson (Barkhuizen 64’), Sinclair, Johnson, Potts (Harrop 55’), Riis Jakobsen
Unused Subs: Earl, Stockley, Maguire, Ripley
Millwall First 11: Bialkowski, Hutchinson, Cooper, Wallace, Romeo, Leonard, Woods, Malone, Wallace (Ferguson 90+2’), Bennett (Bodvarsson 72’), Zahore (Bradshaw 75’)
Unused Subs: Fielding, Thompson, Smith, Mahoney
Referee: Darren Bond